Morata brace helps Juve beat Sampdoria

Before playing the crucial second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Villarreal, Juventus traveled to the Luigi Ferraris to face Sampdoria. Two goals by Morata and a penalty save by Szczesny helped Juventus take the 3 points back to Turin. Max Statman gives you a quick breakdown and player ratings.

Juventus started the match without their star signing Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbian striker was put on the bench by Max Allegri, undoubtely because of the Champions League match against Villarreal on Wednesday. The first 20 minutes of the games weren’t the most exciting, but Juventus were able to take the lead anyway. Juan Cuadrado, who captained the Bianconeri, saw Sampdoria defender Yoshida put his cross behind goalkeeper Falcone.

Morata from the spot

Sampdoria came close to an equalizer when Sensi received the ball in the box, but his attempt at the near post was saved by Szczesny. Instead of the 1-1, Juventus doubled their lead in the 34th minute. Moise Kean dribbled past 2 Sampdoria defenders and was fouled in the box. A penalty was given and Alvaro Morata made no mistake from the spot.

Yoshida almost cancelled out his own goal after 5 minutes in the second half, but his header went just wide. A couple of minutes later, Moise Kean came one on one with Falcone, but the goalkeeper made sure Kean couldn’t go through on goal.

Apart from a Caputo volley, Sampdoria couldn’t really trouble the Bianconeri, until they gave away a penalty. Adrien Rabiot made a handball in the box, while already being carded. Luckily for Juventus, the referee only pointed towards the spot.

Super Szczesny

Szczesny has saved a few penalty’s this season and showed that he can still do that. He denied Candreva with a fantastic stop and kept the lead at a 2 goal difference. Dusan Vlahovic had come on to play the last 30 minutes of the match and even got a chance to score, but his shot went straight onto Falcone.

Whereas Szczesny was able to save the penalty, he was left chanceless after a free-kick by Sabiri was touched by Morata’s back. Sampdoria pulled one back with 5 minutes to go. Morata immediately corrected his mistake by scoring the 1-3 shortly after. He completed his brace after beating Falcone at the near post with a header. Credit must be given to Locatelli, who gave a fabulous assist.

Player ratings

Szczesny 7;

Danilo 6, De Ligt 6.5, Rugani 6.5, Pellegrini 6;

Cuadrado 6, Arthur 7, Locatelli 6.5, Rabiot 5;

Morata 7, Kean 6.5

Substitutions: Vlahovic 5.5, Alex Sandro 6, De Sciglio (-)